The Basics
What is the name of the document that is the plan for how the United States government works?
The Constitution
What is the name of the first set of rules for the United States that made a weak national government?
Articles of Confederation
Name the 3 branches of the federal government.
Executive
Judicial
What is an amendment?
A change or addition to the Constitution
How can Congress check the power of the President?
Congress can override a veto
What does the Constitution protect?
Basic rights
What were the Articles of Confederation?
The first set of rules for the United States
What does the legislative branch do?
Make laws
What is the separation of powers?
The idea of dividing government jobs into different branches so no one group has too much power.
How can the judicial branch check the power of the legislative branch?
The courts can say a law that Congress passed is unconstitutional
What does the Constitution help the country do?
Run smoothly
What was the problem with the Articles of Confederation?
It created a very weak national government
What does the executive branch do?
Enforce laws
What is the system of checks and balances?
Ways each branch of government can limit the power of the others to keep things fair.
How can the President check the power of Congress?
The President can veto (reject) a law passed by Congress
What is the Constitution?
The plan for how the United States government works.
What was the solution to the problems with the Articles of Confederation?
The leaders met to write a stronger document called the Constitution.
What does the judicial branch do?
Decides if the laws follow the Constitution
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first ten amendments to the Constitution that protect basic freedoms.
How is power shared between the state and federal governments?
Some powers belong to the national government, some belong to the states, and some are shared.
Name 3 things the Constitution explains.
Main parts of the government
What powers each part has
How leaders are chosen
Name 3 problems with the Articles of Confederation.
The national government could not:
Collect taxes
Pay debts
Solve problems between states easily
Which branch creates the laws?
Which branch enforces the laws?
Which branch determines if the laws are constitutional?
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
What is Federalism?
The sharing of power between the national government and state governments.
Free speech
Right to a fair trial
Protection against unfair searches